A new diet to hit Australia is the hCG diet which is based on Dr. Simeon’s 1954 book Pounds and Inches. HCG is a hormone only found in pregnant women. The theory is that as we age, our brain becomes lazy regarding how it handles fat, basically “hiding” and forgetting about it. With the aid of HCG, the brain is re-trained to “seek-out” and use fat stores again. (more…)
What Artificial Sweeteners Should You Avoid?
How much do you know about artificial sweeteners? Many people may think they are doing the right thing by choosing ‘sugar-free’ or ‘diet’ products to reduce their sugar intake, but the reality is, many artificial sweeteners have dangerous side effects. The main artificial sweeteners used today are:
Aspartame
Saccharin
Sucralose
Neotame
Acesulfame potassium
Aspartame regularly hits the headlines because it has been studied for decades. Aspartame is essentially made up of 50% phenylalanine, 40% aspartic acid and 10% methanol. The bi-products of these chemicals are formic acid, formaldehyde and Diketopiperazine (DKP), which is a proven brain tumour agent.
Due to the highly addictive nature and overconsumption of aspartame, many studies suggest that this chemical can cause headaches, migraines, confusion, balance problems and seizures. Research also suggests that diet soft drink consumption was linked to higher incidences of stroke, vascular problems and myocardial infarction.
The best thing to do is get to know your labels…look at the food additive names and numbers and know what they mean. If you do need a sweetener try Stevia, which comes from the species Stevia rebaudiana. Stevia is a great alternative as it is about 300-400 sweeter than sugar and is widely available at all health food stores and some supermarkets. For more information on the Top 10 Food Additives that you should avoid, click here.
Let Me Spill the Beans on Fresh vs Frozen Vegetables
Until I was asked the question, I always assumed that fresh is best. After researching for this article I am still convinced of that, but I now look upon frozen vegetables in a whole new way. Lets look at the pros and cons of both fresh and frozen vegetables and see what comes to light.
Fresh vegetables do taste better and have a nicer texture but they tend to lose water soluble vitamins such as vitamin C and B as they get older. According to Tara Diversi, a lecturer in the Human Nutrition Unit of the University of Sydney, spinach kept at room temperature (20°C) for two days loses half of its vitamin C.
Frozen vegetables are usually snap frozen immediately after they are picked with machinery getting the produce to -18°C in minutes. This ensures that their nutrients are kept stable until you cook them. Frozen veggies are uber convenient but tend to go soggy when you cook them.
A question also arises about how to cook vegetables to retain their nutritional value. How you cook your vegies may be more important than whether they are fresh or frozen. Boiling vegies in a large amount of water for a long time leaches the vitamins out of the veg and into the water. To limit nutrient loss use as little water as possible and steam them. The leftover water can then be used for making a stock so you don’t miss out on any vital nutrients. Microwaving certainly does destroy water soluble nutrients so be aware that you are losing nutrition when you go for convenience.
A word of warning, check your packet of frozen veg for added salt or sugar as you may be a little surprised […]
Healthy Ways To A Happy Heart…
Over the past couple of decades, there has been an improvement in the number of cardiovascular disease cases, however it still remains one of the biggest causes of death in Australia! Modifying your diet and lifestyle can make a huge impact on your chances of dying from cardiovascular disease so here’s a snapshot of ways you can turn your life around…
DIET
• Eat fresh fruit and vegetables – berries, grapefruit, oranges
• Whole grains – oats, barley, quinoa, millet, spelt
• Legumes – chick peas, cannelloni beans, adzuki beans, lentils
• Nuts and seeds – a handful of walnuts or almonds daily
• Include olive oil (in place of saturated fats)
• Reduce refined sugar intake
• Cut back on red meat
• Include foods that are low GI
• Eat foods rich in essential fatty acids – salmon
• Increase water intake – 2 to 3 litres of water daily
• Include garlic, tumeric and rosemary to meals for their cardioprotective properties
• Look at diets like the Mediterranean Diet, The DASH diet or The Portfolio Diet for more ideas
SUPPLEMENTS
CoQ10 – Provides energy nutrients and is great for people using cholesterol lowering drugs. The use of CoQ10 pre cardiac surgery has been studied extensively since the 80’s and as a result, it is has been shown to reduce complications and improve recovery. It works as an antioxidant and has an effect on every cell in the body, thus improving heart function and a reduction in blood pressure.
Magnesium – Low levels of magnesium have been linked to cardiovascular disease therefore.
Fish Oils – Studies suggest that fish oils may play a cardioprotective role on the heart and vessels. Regular consumption may reduce death caused by heart disease.
HERBS
There are sooo many herbs to help with heart disease but a few specific ones are:
Crataegus spp – Research suggests that the leaves […]
What the Hell Is In Your Body Products and Why are They Legal?
Bio Oil is a topical product that is marketed as a “specialist skincare product that helps improve the appearance of scars, stretch marks and uneven skin tone.” It is the number 1 selling scar and stretch mark product in Australia and is the most recommended product for scars and stretch marks by pharmacists.
But did you know what Bio Oil’s ingredients are and how they affect your health? The Environmental Working Groups’ Skin Deep Database (http://www.ewg.org/skindeep/) scores Bio Oil a 7 which is “high hazard” and it scores high for health concerns for its ingredients for developmental and reproductive toxicity. Ironic when so many pregnant women use Bio Oil to unknowingly rub harmful chemicals into their skin.
My concerns are the top 4 listed ingredients:
Paraffinum liquidum(mineral oil)
Triisononanon
Cetearyl ethyl hexanoate
Isopropyl myristate
Isopropyl myristate causes irritation to the skin, lungs and eyes.
Triisononanon enhances skin absorption of the product it’s in.
Mineral oil is associated with allergies and may cause organ system toxicity and is derived from petroleum.
Bio Oil also contains fragrance and fragrances are associated with allergies, dermatitis and potential effects of the reproductive system especially if phthalates are involved in the mix. The preservative use is butylated hydroxytoluene which has strong evidence to show developmental effects at high doses in animal studies.
The problem is that we absorb all of these chemicals and bioaccumulate them. The levels build in our bodies as we continue to store them, mainly in fat cells and bones.
When a woman is pregnant, the unborn child becomes a natural detoxifier for her – the baby “downloads” chemicals and heavy metals. Proof of this has been shown in various studies. What you put on your body and in your body has a profound effect on your health […]
